Two levels must be distinguished:
1. The level of individuals and essences: a human belongs to the animal genus.
2. The logical level: the concept “animal” is called a genus because it applies essentially across different species.
“Zayd is an animal” predicates a nature of an individual. “Animal is a genus” classifies a universal concept in logic.
Both statements may be true, but “Zayd is a genus” does not follow. The predicate has shifted levels.
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Semantic Fallacies: Defects of Matter, Form, and Predication
Two levels must be distinguished:
1. The level of individuals and essences: a human belongs to the animal genus.
2. The logical level: the concept “animal” is called a genus because it applies essentially across different species.
“Zayd is an animal” predicates a nature of an individual. “Animal is a genus” classifies a universal concept in logic.
Both statements may be true, but “Zayd is a genus” does not follow. The predicate has shifted levels.